Signaling system



Jan. 21, 1941. E, C, wlLLlAMs `2,229,234

SIGNALING SYSTEM ATTORNEY E. C. WILLIAMS sIGNALING SYSTEM Jan. 21, 1941.

Filed Aug. 11, 1956 HIGHWAY los' J 2 shuts-sheet '2 GA'R' QUICK 'ACTING 3491 SKSLOW RELEASE Liso aes,

REED im RE|JAY\ 3.05' 329 36B ni-/ ,32? 3,07

36| amJ 3 591-* L SLOW f329' 2 favs 325 34m EASE avv,

REED/ 39h RELAY 33315* 333 Li-SLOW RELEASE FIG. 7

QyCK ACTING Ol Jl 475- CUT- OUT 473 4 FLASHE R INVENTOR EDWIN c. WILLIAMS BY 6 5M ATTORNEY Patented 1811.21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

2,229,224 y STGNALING SYSTEM Edwin o. williams, Natick, ma. Application August 11, 193s, serial No. 95,389

11 Claims.

naling systems for supervising the rate at which events occur by causing display of a signal aspect responsive to such rates as may be above or below a predetermined maximum or minimum respectively.

Signaling systems of this character may' be advantageously utilized for many diverse purposes. For example, they may be used to give warning of the operation of a piece'of mechanism at an excessive speed or at less than a desired speed; .they may be used in conjunction with any and all types of rtraflic sign-als for presenting special signal aspects to those vehicles traveling at an excessive or inadequate rate of speed; and they may be used in almost any instance where warning is desired of the duration of an event beyond a predetermined maximum.

This invention is especially well suited for use on highways at poinrts adjacent dangerous curves, hills, intersections, and' the like, for thepurpose of effecting display of warning or restraining signal aspects when vehicles operate at improper rates of speed.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a signaling system which will effect displays of characterizing signal aspects responsive topx'edetermined rate of occurrence characteristics.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a signaling system responsive to the duration of a. predetermined event, for effecting displays of signal aspects indicative of the character of such duration.

Other and more specific objects and advantages Will appear in the following description of illustrative embodiments of .this invention, or will be apparent to those skilled in this art.

In certain preferred embodiments of this invention, the foregoing objects and othersancillary thereto are preferably accomplished as follows:

In one specc embodiment, the signal system comprises two sets of electrical contacts for consecutive operation responsive to the occurrence and `progression of an event or condition, and mechanism for effecting display of a signal aspect of indicative character dependent upon operation of one of said contacts before or after as the case may be) the elapse of a predetermined interval following the operation of the other of said contacts.

In another embodiment. the conditioning of a set of electrical contacts is altered for a time duration dependent upon the occurrence and progression of an event or condition, and mechanism is so responsive to duration ofsuch alteration of conditioning that an indicative signal aspect will be displayed in the vevent a' predeter- A mined duration is-notfattained or is thecasemaybe). "v if For .the purpose of faeilitatingf' A standing of this invention ar considered to be its novel characteiisticsgjcmbdiinents thereof are represented in the anneed-jidrawings and hereinafter described, which embodiments are utilized for the purpose of indicating excessive or inadequate rates of movements of vehicles along a highway; however, such embodiments,

though practical, are by no means the only ones which the invention may assume, wherefore the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the more or lessdiagrammatic representations of the drawings, but m-ay be changed and modified in various particulars and utilized in many diverse unrelated situations so long as such changes and modiiications make no material depar-tures from the invention, as more particularly set forth in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings like parts are designated by similar reference' characters throughout the several views in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of this invention suited for utilization as speed supervising means responsive to consecutive actuation of circuit controllers by trame moving along a vehicular highway;

Figs. 2 and 3 are detailed views of certain parts of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views indicating alternative arrangements of certain parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a modification of the system of Fig. l

Fig. 7 is an across-the-line schematic wiring diagram of an embodiment of this invention which may be utilized in place of the system of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view indicating an embodiment of .this invention for response to duration of alteration of contact conditioning.

STRUCTURE-F1os. 1, 2 Aim 3 (To indicate excessive speed) Referring now to Fig. 1, in conjunction with the detailed views of Figs. 2 and 3, a portion of a vehicular highway H has associated therewith means for displaying two signal aspects, represented by the lamp signals R and A, and two vehicular detectors or pads" IUI and |03, which may be of any .well known type such as, for example, that shown by reissue Patent No. 18,507, d-ated June 28, 1932, to J. I. Morris.

In the exempliflcation of Fig. 1, .the pads IM and |03 are assumed .to be spaced apart a desired exceedance distance-for example, on the order of twelve feet.

The signals R. and A are situated along the highway a safe and convenient high-speed ve- A hicular braking distance from pad |03. Such distance may well be on the order of two hundred and iifty or three hundred feet.

Mechanism M is associated with the signals R, A and with pads |03 by conductors as will be hereinafter more fully described. Such mechanism M comprises a shaft associated with a uniform speed motor |01 (such as a synchronous motor) for rotation thereby at a relatively slow uniform speed which may be, for example, sixty revolutions per minute or one revolution per second.

A wheel is xed upon the shaft |05 for rotation therewith and a disc ||5 is loosely journaled upon the shaft |05 adjacent to Wheel Said disc ||5 has a clutch dog ||1 pivoted at ||9 (see especially Fig. 2) and has a clutch face |2| for engaging the periphery of the wheel responsive to the urge of the spring |23.

A member |21 controlled by the electromagnet |43 projects, during retracted positioning thereof, into the path of an end |25 of the clutch d'og ||1 for eecting withdrawal of said dog from engagement with the wheel when the disc ||5 is in its normal position, as indicated in Fig. 2.

A brush or contact 4| 3| is movable toward and away from the disc ||5, subject to controlby the electromagnet |45, so that, when said contact is in one position, it may engage the section |29 or the section |30 carried by the disc 5, dependent upon the position of said disc. Section |29 is of insulating material and section |30 is of conducting material and electrically connected with the hub of said disc ||5.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the insulating segment or section |29 may extend throughout an angle approximately 240 and the conducting segment or section |30 may extend between the ends of the segment |29, so that the segments |29 and |30 collectively form a ring, concentric with the disc H5, which ring the contact |3| may engage at any time during the rotation of said disc.

A brush |33 bears upon the hub of the disc ||5 for frictionally resisting rotation olf said disc and thereby serving to promptly stop the disc ||5 in its normal or at rest position when the dog ||1 is withdrawn from the wheel l, as well as providing a current path through said hub and d isc to the segment |30. The shaft |35 is driven through the gear I3 and pinion |09 at a speed preferably slower than that of the shaft |05. For example, said shaft |35 may operate at a speed of approximately twenty revolutions per minute. 'I'he insulating cam |31 is moved by the shaft |35 to close the contacts |39, |4| during each rotation of said shaft.

Conductors |41 and |49 lead= from a source of electrical energy suitable for energizing the motor |01 and the various electromagnets, and for lighting the lamps R and A.

Conductor |5I connects supply conductor |49 with one terminal of the pad |0|, conductor |53 connecting the remaining terminal of said pad |0| with one terminal of electromagnet |43 and conductor |55 connecting the remaining terminal of said electromagnet |43 with the other supply conductor |41. v

Conductor |51 connects supply conductor |49 with one terminal of the pad |03, conductor |59 connecting the remaining terminal of said pad |03 with one terminal of electromagnet |45 and conductor |6| connecting the remaining terminal of said electromagnet |||5 with the other supply conductor |41.

A contact member |63 is associated with the electromagnets |65 and |61, of which the magnet |65 serves as a pick-up magnet and the magnet |61 serves as a lock-up magnet. Said member |63 is connected through a conductor |69 with supply conductor |49 and with one terminal of the electromagnet |65. A conductor l1| connects the remaining terminal or" magnet |65 with contact |3|, and a conductor |13 connects brush |33 with supply conductor |41.

During concurrent deenergization of electromagnets |65 and |61, contact member |63 is biased for engagement with a contact |15. .A conductor |11 connects said contact |15 with contact |4| and a conductor |19 connects contact |39 with one terminal of the signal lamp A.

During energization of one or both of the electromagnets |65 and |61, contact member |63 is positioned against its bias in engagement with a contact |8| which contact is connected to one terminal of electromagnet |61. A conductor |83 connects the remaining terminal of electromagnet |61 with one terminal of a socalled cut-out |85; which cut-out may be either mechanical, thermal or otherwise, wherein means-is provided for momentarily opening an electric circuit a predetermined time after said circuit has been established. A conductor '|81 connects the remaining terminal of cut-out |85 with one terminal of signal lamp R.

A conductor |89 connects the remaining ter-1 minals of signal lamps A and R with supply conductor 41.

A conductor |9| connects one terminal of motor |01 with supply conductor |49 and conductor |93, which serially includes a shut down switch |95, connects the remaining terminal of motor |01 with the other supply conductor 41.

Either the segment |29 or the segment |30 may be situated in the path of the contact |3| when the disc |1|5 is in its normal or at rest position, dependent upon the extent of rotation of the disc 5 which will occur within the time which it is intended shall elapse between the actuation'of pad 0| and |03.

It will be obvious that attainment of desired results may be facilitated by normally positioning the initial part of the segment |30 in the path of the contact |3|, if a comparatively slow starting type of mechanism is employed.

In any event, the relationship of parts should be such that, following operation of pad |0|, if pad |03 is operatedat a time indicating an objectionable rate of vehicle travel (either too fast or too slow, as the case may be) the conducting segment |30 will be in the ,path of the contact |3| at the time such pad |03 is operated.

OPERATION-Fics. 1, 2 AND 3 (To indicate excessive speed) Based on the assumptions that pads |0| and |03 are spaced apart a distance of twelve feet, that motor |01 rotates shaft |05 one revolution per second, that segment |29 extends through an angle of two hundred and forty degrees on theA the embodiment of this invention shown in Fig. 1 will normally cause an intermittent lighting of the signal lamp A, and will cause lighting of the signal lamp R for a predetermined length of time responsive to a vehicleproceeding from left to right along highway H at a speed of or in excess of twenty-five miles per hour.

More speciilcally, with parts arranged as just described and with no' vehicles proceeding along highway H, in otor |01 will rotate shafts |05 and |35 and wheel l. The disc ||5 will be heldstationary through the friction applied to its hub by the brush |33 throughout disengagement of dog ||1 from wheel by member |21. Fur-` thermore, electromagnets |65 and |61 will'be deenergized and cam |31 will cause intermittent closures of contacts |39 and |4| thereby effecting intermittent display oi the signal lamp A through a circuit including supply conductor |49 and conductor 69, member |63, contact |15, conductor |11, contacts |4| and |39, conductor |19, signal lamp A and conductor |89 to the other supply conductor |41.

Should the pad |0| vbe now operated by a vehicle, a `circuit for the energization of electromagnet |43 will be established from conductor |49 through conductor |5|, pad |0|, conductor |53, winding of magnet |43 and conductor |55 to supply conductor |41.

Electromagnet |43 will thereupon cause mem'- ber |21 to be swung out of the path of thejen'd |25 of the clutch dog ||1, permitting said'dog to move under urge of spring |23 to carry its face |2| to engaging relation with the wheel and disc ||5 almost instantly will attain the speed of'.

and rotate thereafter synchronously with, wheel in a clockwise direction as viewed inFlg. 2. If such vehicle moves at a speed considered within desirable limits such as, for example, twenty miles per hour, it will travel approximately twenty-nine and one-third feet per second, and therefore will operate pad |03 .a little more than two-fths oi a second after the operation oi' pad |0|.

Operation of the pad |03 closes a circuit for the energization of electromagnet |45, which cirsuit leads from conductor |49 through conductor |51, pad |03, conductor |59, winding of magnet and conductor |6| to supply conductor |41. Energization of electromagnet |45 will cause its associated contact or brush |3| to be moved into engaging relationship with the segment ring |29|30. Since, by this time disc ||5 will have been rotating for some two-ifths of a second; and as said disc, rotating at a speed of one revolution per second will, in such two-fths of a sec-` ond, move through an angle of more than one hundred and forty-ve degrees, the conducting portion |30 of the disc ||5 will have passed from beneath the brush |3| and the insulating segment |29 will then underly contact |3|. Hence the associated circuits will be unaiected by energlzation of magnet |45.

The vehicle causing the aforesaid pad operations will therefore be 'enabled' to continue along the highway H with no impeding signal aspects displayed to inuence its progress.

Now assume that a vehicle approaches and successively operates pads |0| and |03 as before, however, this time the vehicle moves at what is considered an excessive rate of speed, say, for example, at thirty miles per hour.

Operation of the pad will cause disc ||5 to be rotated in precisely the same manner as hereinbefore described.

Since a vehicle moving at they rate of .thirty miles per hour travels approximately forty-four feet in one second, pad |03 will be operated within less than threetenths of a second after the operation of the pad |0|.

In this situation, electromagnet |45 will become energized and contact |3| will engage segment |80 before such conducting segment |30 is withdrawn from beneath the contact IM: thereby establishing an energizing current path for electromagne't |65, which path leads from supply conduct-or |49 through conductor |69, winlding of magnet |65, conductor |1=|, contact |3|, disc H5 and its hub, brush |33 and conductor |13 to the other supplyconductor |41.

Such energization of magnet |65 will cause contact member |63 to be moved from eng-agement with contact |15 into engagement with contact I8 lthus opening the circuit hereinbefore described for displaying the signal A. Enga/8- ment of member |63 with contact |8| will effect closure of a circuit for displaying the signal R as well as for holding member |63 in engagement with contact |8|. Such circuit leads from supply conductor |49 through conductor |69, member |63, contact |8|, winding of magnet |61,l conductor |83, cut-outY |85, conductor |81, signal lamp R, and conductor |89 to the other supply conductor |41; magnet |'61 forming a so-called hold-up magnet for contact member |63.

Signal R will now be displayed .to the approaching vehicle instead o1' signal A and in the situation Just described it maybe considered that signal A ind-icat proceed or go while signal R. indicates stop. Thus the vehicle which pro- 1 ceeds along the highway at an excessive rate of intermittent display of aspect A will be resumed.

STRUCTURE-F1os. 1, 2, 3 AND 4 (.To indicate inadequate speed) In some instances it may be desirable :to utilize this invention to indicate inadequate speed such as, for example, on a so-called high-speed lhighway .or in a vehicular 'tunnel where lagging or vslow moving vehicles may cause tramo congestion.

The embodiment of this invention shown in Fig. l may be readily adapted for such service by adjustment in the speed at which disc |'5 rotates,

as well as by adjust-ment in the length and positioning of the insulated segment |29. As indicated in Eig. 4, .the latter adjustment should be such as will cause the disc H5' to come to rest with the initial portion of its insulated 4segment |29 underlying the contact |3|. The length of said segment should be such that it will remain in the path of contact |3| throughout rotation of the disc ||5' occurring during what is considered a permissible maximum time between the successive operation of pads |0| and |03.

OPERATION-F1os. .1', 2, 3 AND 4 To indicate inadequate speed) Arranged as just described, vehicles successively operating pads |0| and |03 within less .than a predetermined maximum length oi time will cause the contact |3| .to contact only the insu- STRUCTURE-F1os. 1, 2, 3 AND 5 (To indicate both excessive and inadequate speeds) In some instances it may be desirable to utilize this inventio-n .to supervise and assist in maintaining the speed at which an event progresses within xed limits, i. e., to indicate both excessive and inadequate speed.

For example, assume that a situation arises in A which it is desired .to supervise lthe speed of Vehiel-es on a roadway such vthat the proper or permissive rate of movement for the vehicles will be no-t less than twelve miles per hourand not more than eighteen miles per hour and such that operation of a vehicle or vehicles at an improper speed will effect display of a signal aspect indicatin-g the character as well as the occurrence of the transgression.

In any such event, the mechanism' of this invention may be readily adapted to the desired type of service :by making but few alterations.

As best indicated in Fig. 6 'the highway pads IUI and |03' are positioned in highway H' and are spaced apart a distance, forexample, of

eighteen feet, the conductors leading from these pads and their associated magnets corresponding to Ithose already described in connection with Fig. l.

A disc M5, similar to disc H5 in Fig. 1 and best indicated in Fig. 5, is arranged to come to rest with the initial end of its conducting portion |30" underlying contact .|3|, such portion extending through an angle measured on disc I I5" of approximately `two hundred and forty degrees while the insulated portion |29" extends through the remainder of such disc angle. As described in connection with Fig. 1, disc H5 is assumed to rotate lat a speed of one complete revolution per second.

Three associated contacts 210, 212 and 214 are situated adjacent the periphery of disc H5" and are adapted to be actuated from one to another position throughout attainment of the rest position'ing of disc I I5". During such rest positioning, a cam 216 on Ithe periphery of disc H5" actuates contact 212 through an insulated member to move said contact away from its biased engagement with contact 210 into engagement with contact'l 214. Withdrawal of cam 21-6 pursuant to rotation of disc II5 will permit lcontact. 212 to assumeA its bias-urged position in engagement with contact 210.

A conductor 21| extends from contact 210 to that' terminal of magnet |65 to which conductor |1| leads in Fig. 1, and conductor 21|' leads from contact 212 to contact I3 Electromagnets 265 and 261 are associated with two contact members 263 and 264. During concurrent deenergization of magnets 265 and 261, member 263 is biased for engagement with a contact 215 and member 264 is biased for disengagement from a. contact 28|. When one or both of the magnets 265 and 261 is energized, member 263 willv be withdrawn from engagement with contact 215 and member 264 will engage contact 28|.

Conductors leading from member |63 and contact |8I correspond with like conductors indicated in Fig. l; however, differing from Fig. l, a conductor 211 connects contact |15 with contact 215 and a conductor 211 leads from memberv 263 to a signal lamp C (indicative of correct speed) Although not shown in Fig. 6, the intermittently closed contacts |39 and I4| of Fig. 1 may, if desired, be included in the conductors 211 or 211 to provide for intermittent display of lamp C.

A conductor |69 (to which conductor |69 of Fig. 1 corresponds in part) leads from supply conductor |49 to members |63 and 264 as Well as go one terminal of each of the magnets |65 and A conductor 214' connects contact 214 with the remaining terminal of magnet 265.

A conductor 28| leads from contact 28| to one terminal of magnet 261, and a conductor 291 connects the remaining terminal of said magnet, through a cut-out 285, with one terminal of a signal lamp S (which lamp maybe indicative of inadequate or slow speed) A conductor |81 leads from the remaining terminal of magnet |61, through a cut-out |85', to one terminal of a signal lamp F (which lamp may be indicative of excessive speed).

The cut-outs 285, |85 may substantially correspond with the cut-out |85 described in connection with Fig. 1.

A conductor |89 connects the remaining terminals of all the signal lamps with supply conductor |41.

Other conductors and parts are substantially identical with those described and indicated in connection with Fig. 1.

OPERATION-FrGs 1, 2, 3 AND 5 (To indicate both excessive and inadequate speeds) With structure arranged as described and indicated in Fig. 6 and in the absence of vehicles on the highway l-I, the disc H5" will stand at rest, the motor (not shown in Fig. 6) will be operating as described in connection with Fig. 1, all electromagnets will be deenergized and a circuit will be completed for energizing signal lamp C indicative of clear or correct as referring to the speed of approaching vehicles. Such completed circuit will lead from supply conductor |49 through conductor |69', member |63, contact |15, conductor 211, contact 215, member 263 andA conductor 211' to one terminal of signal lamp C, and from the remaining terminal of said lamp through conductor |89 to supply conductor |41.

Assuming now that a vehicle slowly moves along highway H and operates pad IIII'. Disc ||5 will almost instantaneously begin to rotate at a speed of one revolution per second.

If the vehicle is moving at a rate of twelve miles per hour or less, disc. I I5 will make one complete revolution and come to rest before the vehicle will traverse the eighteen feet between pads I 0 and |03. As a. result, when the vehicle does operate pad |03 the contact I 3| will be moved into engagement with the conducting section |30" of the disc II5, whereupon an impulse for energizing magnet 265 will pass from brush |33, disc H5", section |36", contact |3|, conductor 21|', contacts 212' and 214, conductor 214', winding of magnet 265 and conductor |69', to the other supply conductor |49.

Energization of magnet 265 will cause its member 263 to be withdrawn from engagement with contact 215, 'thus opening t e hereinbefore de- -scribed current path to sign l lamp C and terminating the display thereof. In addition, member 264 will move responsive to energization oi' magnet 265, into engagement with contact 29|, thus establishing a current path for the energizetion of signal lamp S and for holding-members 263 and 264 in their attracted positions. Such path leads from supply conductor |49 through conductor |69', member 264, contact 26|, conductor 28|', winding of magnet 261, conductor 291, inclusive of cut-out 285, to one terminal of signal lamp S, indicative of slow speed, and from the remaining terminal of said lamp through conductor |89' to the other supply conductor |41.

After a desired predetermined time, cut-out 295 will act to open the circuit to lamp S through the winding of magnet 261, thus allowing members v263 and 264 to assume their retracted positions; whereupon the current path hereinbefore described for effecting the display of signal lamp C will be re-established.

A vehicle successively operating pads |6I' and |63 while moving at a speed greater than twelve miles per hour but not greatly exceeding eighteen miles per hour, will have no effect upon the signal aspects. In such an event, magnet |45 will be energized within a time following the elapse of two-thirds of, and before the termination of, a full second after the pad |6|' was operated. Hence contact |3| will engage only the insulated segment |29" of .the clisc H5", with results as already explained in connection with a similar situation described with reference to Fig. 1.

Now assume that pads |6I' and |63' are successively operated by a vehicle moving at a rate substantially faster than eighteen miles per hour. Pads |6| and |63' will both be operated within less than two-thirds of a second that is, before conducting segment |36" is withdrawn from beneath contact |3|, and therefore, since cam 216 of disc ||5" will, at the time, be withdrawn from contact 212 to permit contacts 216 and 212 to form a path from contactV |3| to magnet |65 similar to such path described in connection with Fig. 1, the operation of the system will beas described for a like condition, in connection with Fig. 1, in that the signal lamp F (corresponding tlamp R in Fig. 1) will be displayed for a predetermined length of time governed by the adjustment of the cut-out after which time the system will be restored toits norm condition.

SraUcrUan-Fre. 7

Under certain circumstances it may be deemed expedient to employ embodiments of this invention which, while diiering in character from that indicated in Fig. 1, accomplish more or less analogous results in a substantially similar manner.

A trame supervising system which so embodies this invention is indicated in Fig. 1, which shows a highway H" having detector pads |6| and |63" as well as signal lamps R'-, A' and G associated therewith, together with electromagnets 36|, 363, 365, 361, 369, 3|I, 3|3v and 3|5. These electromagnets control contacts and may therefore be said to form part of relay mechanisms. Certain of these relays take the place of the cutout |35 and the motor driven mechanism'includingthedisc ||5 ofFlg. 1.

Magnet 36| involves a pair of normally open contacts 32| for quick-action operation and for closure responsive to energization of said magnet.

Magnet 363 involves a pair of normally open contacts 323 for ordinary-closing operation responsive to energization of said magnet and for sumciently slow-release" operation (following interruption of energizing current) so'that said contacts will open only after they `have remained closed long enough to provide for effective energization of another relay.

Magnet 365 involves a center-posed reed contact 325 responsive to a closure of minimum duration of the contacts 323 to cause reed oscillation between and for effecting a series of closures with the two interconnected contacts 325' to produce substantially the equivalent effect of a single closure of sustained duration suflicient to assure lighting of vsignal lamp A' for a desired time, in a manner which will be presently explainedl in greater detail. v

Magnet 361 involves a pair ofnormally open contacts 321 as well as a contact 321 normally engaging a contact 321" for operation responsive to energization of said magnet to close contacts 321 and to move contact 321' from contact 321'( to a contact 321"'; this relay mechanism being sufliciently slow-release so that said contacts will remain in attracted position throughout circuit interruptions incidental to oscillation of contact 325.

Magnet 369 involves a pair of normally closed contacts 329 as well as a contact 329' normally engaging a contact 329" for operation responsive 329 and to move contact 329 from contact 329" to contact 329"'; this relay being sufficiently slow-release so that said contacts will remain in attracted position pending the effective sequential energization of two relays following deenergization of magnet 361, as will be presently explained in greater detail.

Magnet 3|| involves a pair of contacts 33| to energization of vsaid magnet to open contacts ,open throughout energization of said magnet, l

and for both slow opening and slow closing operation.

' Magnet 3|3 involves reed" contacts 333, 333' substantially corresponding with the contacts 325, 325 `associated with magnet 365. for assuring that signal lamp R' will be lighted for a. desired time, in a manner which will be presently explained in greater detail.

Magnet 3|5 involves two pairs of normally open contacts 335' and 3.35" for normal-closing operation responsive to energization of said magnet and for sufficiently slow-release following interruption of energizing current so that :said

-contacts will remain iny attracted position lare associated with the various electromagnets,

detector pads and signal lamps through conductors as follows:

Conductor 345 leads from supply conductor 34| to one terminal of detector pad |0|", conductor 341 leads from the remaining terminal of said pad to one terminal of magnet 30| and conductor 349 leads from the remaining terminal of magnet 30| to supply conductor 343.

Conductor 35| leads from supply conductor 34| to one of the contacts 32|, conductor 353 leads from the other of said contacts to one terminal of magnet 303 and conductor 355 leads from the remaining terminal of said magnet to supply conductor 343.

Conductor 351 leads from supply conductor 34| to one terminal of detector pad |03, conductor 359 leads fromv the remaining terminal of said pad to one of the contacts 323, conductor 36| leads from the ramaining one of contacts 323 to one of the contacts 329, conductor 363 leads from the remaining contacts 329 to one terminal of magnet 305 and conductor 365 leads from the remaining terminal of said magnet to supply conductor 343.

Conductor 361 leads from supply' conductor 34| to the interconnected contacts 325', conductor 369 leads from reed contact 325 to one terminal of magnet 301 and conductor 31| leads from the remaining terminal'of said magnet to supply conductor 343.

Conductor 313 leads from supply conductor 34| to contact 329'. Conductor 315 leads from contact 329'" to one of the contacts 321 and conductor 311 leads from the other of said contacts 321 to one terminal of signal lamp A. Conductor 319 leads from contact 329" to one terminal of the asher mechanism 331 and conductor 38| leads from the remaining terminal of said mechanism to one terminal of signal lamp G.

Conductor 383 leads from supply conductor 34| to contact 321. Conductors 385 and 331 lead from contact 321'" to one terminal of magnet 309 and to one of the contacts 335', respectively. Conductor 389 leads from the remaining terminal of magnet 309 to supply conductor 343 and conductor 39| leads from supply conductor 34| to the other of the contacts 335. Conductor 393 leads from contact 321 to one terminal of magnet 3| conductor 395 also leads from said contact 321" to one of the contacts 33| and conductor 391 leads from the remaining terminal of magnet 3|| to supply conductor 343. Conductor 399 leads from the remaining one of the contacts 33| to one terminal of magnet 3|3 and conductor 40| leads from the remaining terminal of said magnet to supply conductor 343.

Conductor 403 leads from supply conductor 34| to the interconnected contacts 333', conductor 405 leads from the reed contact 333 to one terminal of magnet 3|5 and conductor 401 leads from the remaining terminal of magnet 3|5 to supply conductor 343.

Conductor 409 leads from supply conductor 34| to one of the contacts 335 and conductor 4| leads from the other of said contacts 335 to one terminal of signal lamp R'. Conductor 4|3 connects all of the remaining terminals of the various signal lamps R', A' and G with supply conductor 343.

OPERATION-FIG. 7

Based on assumptions that detector pads |0|" and |03" are spaced apart a distance of six feet, that contacts 323 of electromagnet 303 are adjusted to attain'open circuit relationship within one-sixth of a second after the energizing circuit for said magnet is interrupted and that electrical energy of proper character is applied to the various circuits from supply conductors 34| .and 343. the arrangement of this invention indicated in Fig. "I will normally cause an intermittent display of the signal lamp G, but will cause display of signal lamps A' and R for predetermined lengths of time 4responsive to successive operation of pads |0|" and |03" by a vehicle traveling at a speed in excess of twenty-tive miles per hour.

In the absenceiof operation of theidetector pads, all of the4 electromagnets hereinbefore described stand deenergized with the exception of electromagnet 3|I. Such magnet will be energized lthrough a current path extending from supply conductor 34| through conductor 333, contacts 321321", conductor 393, electromagnet 3|| and conductor 391 to supply conductor 343. The signal lamp G will be intermittently displayed through establishment of a current path from supply conductor 34| through conductor 313, contacts 329', 329". conductor 319, flasher mechanism 331, conductor 33|, signal lamp G and conductor 4|3 to supply conductor 343.

Assume now, for example, that a vehicle appreaches and operates the detector pad |0|" while moving at a speed less than twenty-five miles per hour. As detector pad |0| operates, a current path is established for energizing electromagnet 30| over a circuit including supply conductor 34|, conductor 345, pad |0|, conductor 341, electromagnet 30| and conductor 349 to supply conductor 343.

The quick operation of contacts 32|, pursuant to energization of magnet 30|, establishes an energizing path for magnet 303 from supply conductor 34| through conductor 35|, contacts 32|, conductor 353, magnet 303 and conductor 355 to supply conductor 343. Such energization of magnet 303 eects closure of the contacts 323 and, since such contacts are adjusted to assume open circuit relationship only after the elapse of one-sixth second following deenergization of magnet 303, these contacts will remain in closed circuit relationship for one-sixth second after the vehicle has ceased to operate pad |0| A vehicle moving at the rate of twenty-rive miles per hour traverses approximately thirty-six feet in one second or approximately six feet in one-sixth of a second. Since the vehicle is assumed to be now moving at a rate slower than twenty-five miles per hour, it will require more than one-sixth oi a second to traverse the distance from pad |0|" to pad |03". It will be obvious from the foregoing that, before the vehicle reaches the pad |03", the electromagnet 303 will have become deenergized and its contacts 323 moved to open circuit relationship whereby operation of pad |03" will be rendered ineffective.

Assume now, for example, that a vehicle proceeds along highway H and successively operates the detector pads -therein while traveling at a speed of twenty-live miles per hour or greater. The operation of magnets 30| and 303 will be the same as just described in connection with the slow moving vehicle, however, in this instance pad |03 will be operated before the expiration of the one-sixth second delay of magnet 303 thereby causing an impulse to be sent for the energization of magnet 305 through the path from supply conductor 34| through conductor 351, pad |03", conductor 359, contacts 323, conductor 36|, contacts 329, conductor 363,

for magnet 301. Such path leads from su if conductor 34| through conductor 381, interconnected contacts 325', reed contact 325, conductor` 359. magnet 301, and conductor 31| to supply conductor 343. l

The energization of magnet 301 causes its lower movable contact 321' to engage contact 321'" whereupon a current pathwis established for the energization of magnet 309 from supply conductor 34| through conductor 383, contacts 321', 321'", conductor 385, magnet 309 and conductor 389 to supply conductor 343. Magnet 109 is of the adjustable slow-release type, it requiring in the neighborhood of one-fourth second for it to transpose its contacts to their .deenergized position following interruption of the current path through the winding of the magnet.

The energization of magnet 301 y also effects closed circuitconditioning of contacts 321.

The energizationl of magnet 309 effects movement of its contact 329 away from contact 329" and into engagement with cont-act 329'", whereupon the circuit heretofore described-for intermittent energization of signal lamp G is interrupted and a circuit is established for theenerglzation of signal lamp A from supply conductor 34| through conductor 313, contacts 329', 329", conductor 315, contacts 321, conductor 311, signall lamp A' and cond`uctor4|3 tosupply conductor 343.

Energization of magnet 309 also eifects open circuit relationship of contacts 329 whereupon the previously described circuit for. energization of magnet 305 is interrupted irrespective of continued operation of the pad |03".

The contacts of reed magnet 305 may be ad- .'usted'to produce the effect of, closed circuit conditioning following deenergization for a time considered adequate for the duration of the display of signal A'. For example, such adjustment may effect display of signal A' for a duration of from two to ten seconds after the energizing current path for said magnet is interrupted.

Following resumption of open circuit conditioning of contacts 325, 325', electromagnet 301 will become deenergized, contacts 321 will move -to open circuit relationship extinguishing signal lamp A', and contact 321' will be withdrawn from contact 321'" and moved into engagement with contact 321" thus interrupting the previouslydescribed .energizing current path for magnet 309. Such Finterruption of said energizing path will not, however, result in movement of the contacts controlled by magnet 309 to deenergized positioning, for the reason that another energizing path will be established during the slowre1ease period of 'this magnet, resultantfrom ensuing energization of magnet 3|5, as will be presently described in greater detail.

At the time magnet 301 becomes energized and causes contact 321' to be Withdrawn from contact 321", magnet 3|| will become deenergized and its contacts 33|l will assume closed circuit conditioning.

Responsive to vdeeiiergization of magnet 301 'with consequent reclosing of contacts 321 and 321", a momentary impulse for energizing magnet 3|3 will occur before slow operating magnet 3|| will be enabled to eect open circuit conditioning'of its contacts 33|. Such momentarily eifective energizing path for magnet 3|3 leads from supply conductor 34| through conductor 383, contacts 321", 321", contacts 33|,- conductor 399, magnet 3|3 and conductor 40| to supply conductor 343.

Energization of reed magnet v3|3 will produce .the effect of closed circuit conditioning of conconductors 393, 395,

tacts 333 and 333 for aprolonged adjustable duration which may be from three m fifteen seconds in length. During such closed circuit relationshipa path will be established for theenergization of magnet 3| 5 from supply conductor 34| through conductor 403, contacts 333', 333, conductor 405-, magnet 3|5, and conductor 401 to supply-conductor 343.

l During energization of magnet 3|5, a pathwill be completed for re-establishing and continuing the effectiveness of an energizing path for magnet 309, which path leads from supply conductor 34| through conductor 39|, contacts 335'con ductors 381 and 385, magnet 309 and conductor 38,9 to supply conductor 343.

It will be recognized that the time elapsing between the separation ofcontact 321', 321' and the establishment of the path `iust described through contacts 335' may be extremely short whereby the slow-releasing magnet 309 will not have sulcient time to effect movement of its contact 329' to lts position for engaging contact 329" before the reenergizing path for magnet 309, as just referred to, is established.

Energization of magnet 3|5 also effects closure of a current path for the energization of lamp R. from supply conductor 34| through conductor 409, contacts 335", conductor 4||, lamp R' and conductor 4|3 to supply conductor 343.

Since the energization of magnet 3|3, and also of course the energization of magnet 3|5, occurs very shortly after the deenergization of magnet 301, the display of aspect R' will follow immediately after termination of the display of aspect The display of aspect R. will continue for a time measured by the adjustment of the contacts of the reed magnet 3|3. Immediately following open circuit conditioning of contacts 333, 333', magnet 3 I5 becomes deenergized, interrupting the path for effecting the display of the aspect R' at -contacts 335" as well as interrupting energiza-l Under some circumstances, it may be found desirable to utilize this invention fora purpose similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1, 6 and 'I but in a slightly different manner. Such a manner of utilization is indicated in Fig. 8 where mechanism embodying this invention is associated with a highway H'" having a single elongated detector pad |02 as well as signal lamps R", A" cor.. responding to similar lamps indicated in Fig. l.

In the arrangement of Fig. 8, magnets 45|, 453, 455, 451 and 4 59 are associated with a current supplycircuit, with the pad |02 and with the various signals 'to provide a `tramc supervising system which is responsive to the duration of an actuation of a circuit controller, instead of beingl re- 75 sponsive to the elapse of time between actuations of one and another circuit controller as in the instances of the systems of Figs. 1, 6 and 7. The various electromagnets have diverse operating characteristics as well as diverse contact arrangements, certain of said magnets being adjustable as to said characteristics.

Magnet 45| involves a pair of normally closed contacts 46| adapted to be moved into open circuit relationship responsive to energization of magnet 45|,as well as a contact 463 normally engaging a contact 465 and adapted to be moved out of engagement with said contact 465 and into engagement with a contact 461 pursuant to energization of magnet 45|. This magnet may be termed quick-acting in that its contacts assume their various positions immediately following alteration of the energizing current path for the magnet.

Magnet 453 involves a pair of normally open contacts 469 arranged to be moved into closed relationship responsive to energization of magnet 453.

Magnet 455 involves a pair of normally open contacts 41| adapted to be moved into closed relationship pursuant to energization of magnet 455.

Both magnets 453 and 455 may be termed slow-release" in that their respective contacts quickly assume closed circuit relationship respontive to energization of their associated magnets but assume open circuit conditioning only after a preadjusted delay following interruption of the energizing current path for said associated magnets.

Magnets 451 and 459 are associated with a contact member 413. During energization of one or both of such magnets, contact member 413 will engage a contact 415 and during concurrent deenergization of both of said magnets said member 413 will be in engagement with a contact 411.

Flashing mechanism 419 is associated with contact 411. Such mechanism may be of the same character as mechanism 331 heretofore described in connection with Fig. 7.

Cut-out mechanism 48| is associated with contact 415 as will be hereinafter more fully described. Such mechanism may be of a character such as that of mechanism |85 hereinbefore described in connection with Fig. 1.

Current supply conductors 483 and 485, corresponding to conductors 34| and 343 of Fig. 7, are associated with the various electromagnets, signal lamps and the detector pad through conductors as follows:

-Conductor 481 leads from supply conductor 483 to one terminal of the pad |02, conductor 489 leads from the remaining terminal of said pad to one terminal of magnet 45| and conductor 49| leads from the remaining terminal of said magnet to contact 463, to one of the contacts 46| and to the supply conductor 485.

Conductor 493 leads from contact 461 to one terminal of magnet 453 and conductor 495 leads from the remaining terminal of said magnet to its movable contact 469, to one terminal of magnet 455, and to supply conductor 483.

Conductor 491 leads from contact 465 to the remaining terminal of magnet 455. Conductor 499 leads from the remaining contact 46| to one of the contacts 41|. Conductor 50| leads from the remaining one of contacts 469 to one terminal of magnet 451, conductor 503 leads from the remaining one of contacts 41| to the remaining terminal of said magnet 451, and conductor 504 connects contact 413 with supply conductor- 483.

Conductor 505 leads from one terminal of magnet 459 toone terminal of the cut-out mechanism 48| and conductor 501 leads from the remaining terminal of said mechanism to one terminal of signal lamp R".

Contact 415 is connected to the remaining terminal of magnet 459. Conductor 509 leads from contact 411 to one terminal of ashing mechanism 419 and conductor 5|| leads from the remaining terminal of said ashing mechanism to one terminal of signal lamp A.l v

Conductor 5|3 connects the remaining terminals of said lamps with supply conductor 485.

The elongated detector pad |02 maybe constructed by enlarging the type of pad previously referred to or by arranging a series of parallel connected pads, of the type described in connection with Fig. l, adjacent one another in such manner that a vehicle, in traversing the pads will effect operation of one before discontinuing operation of a previous one. There may also be substituted for pad |02 equipment of magnetic, photoelectric or sound operated-type so long as such equipment effect and maintain a predetermined contact alteration responsive to the presence of a vehicle within a predetermined area.

OPERATION-FIG. 8

Based on assumptions that the effective length' of detector pad |02 is four feet, that contacts 469 of electromagnet 453 are adjusted to attain open circuit relationship within one-one hundredth of a second following interruptionof the energizing circuit for said magnet, that contact 41| of electromagnet 455 are adjusted to attain open circuit relationship within one-tenth of a. second after the energizing circuit for magnet 455 is interrupted and that electrical energy of proper character is applied to the various circuits from supply conductors 483 and 485, the arrangement of this invention indicated in Fig. 8 will normally cause signal lamp A" to be intermittently lighted but will cause signal lamp R" to be lighted for a predetermined length of time responsive to an operation of pad |02 for a. time such as that occupied by the passing of a vehicle over said pad at a rate substantially in excess of twenty-five miles per hour.

In the absence of operation of the detector pad, all of the electromagnets hereinbefore described will be deenergized with the exception of electromagnet 455, which magnet will be northrough establishment of a current path from,

supply conductor 483 through conductor 504, contacts 413, 411, conductor 509, flasher mechanism 419, conductor 5| signal lamp A and conductor 5|3 to supply conductor 485.

Assume now, for example, that a vehicle traverses the detector pad |02 While moving at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour (or less). The resultant operation of the detector pad |02 establishes a current path for energizing electromagnet 45| over a circuit from supply conductor 483 through conductor 481, pad |02, conductor 489, electromagnet 45|, and conductor 49| to supply conductor 485.

Contacts 46|, 463 will be quickly operated pursuant to the energization of magnet 45|. The heretofore described current path for energizing magnet 455 will'be interrupted and contacts 41| tion of cut-out 48|. Upon interruption of thev associated therewith will assume open circuit relationship within one-tenth of a second after such'interruption. During that time, contact 463 will have moved into engagement with contact 461 thus establishing an energizing current path for magnet 453 from conductor 485 through conductor 49|, contacts 463, 451, conductor 493, magnet 453 and conductor 495 to supply conductor 483.

Energization of magnet 453 partially estab` lishes a current path for energization of magnet 451 which path leads from supply conductor 483 through conductor 495, contacts 469, conductor 50|, magnet 451, conductor 503, contacts 41| (contacts 41| remaining in closed relationship due to slow-release feature), through conductor 499 to one of the now open contacts 46|.

The energization path for magnet 451 as just described will be maintained for substantially one-tenth of a second as governed by the adjustment and functioning of contacts 41|. A vehicle moving at twenty-ve miles per hour across pad |02 will maintain said pad in its operative condition for approximately one-ninth of a second therefore magnet 455 will permit its contacts 41| to assume open circuit relationship before the vehicle ceases to operate pad |02 andthereby permits deenergization of magnet 45| so that ensuing occurrence of such deenergization will have no effect upon any of the circuits other than to re-establish energization of magnet 455 as described.

Now assume that the vehicle proceeding along the highway H"' traverses the pad |02 at a speed greater than twenty-ve miles per hour, such as, for example, thirty miles per hour. In this instance, the duration of operation of pad |02 will be but for approximately one-eleventh of a second. The operation of the various mag-` nets will be as just described up to and including the partial establishment of the energizing current path for magnet 451. As the faster moving vehicle will operate the pad |02 for but substantially one-eleventh of a second and while the electromagnet 455 will maintain its contacts 41| in closed relationship for one-tenth of a second following interruption of its energizing current path, it will be obvious that, before contacts 41| open, magnet 45| will become deenergized and thus allow its contacts 46| to close during closure of contacts 41| as well as during closure of contacts 469 (contacts 469 remaining closed one-one hundredth of a second after deenergization of magnet 45|). Asa result, an impulse of substantially one-one hundredth of a second for energizing magnet 451 will be sent over a current path leading from supply conductor 483 through conductor 495, contacts 469, conductor 50|, magnet 451, conductor 503, contacts 41|, conductor 499, contacts 46|, and conductor 49| to supply conductor 495.

Energization of magnet 451 will cause contact 413 to be moved into engagement with contact 415 thus interrupting the previously described current path for eiecting display of signal aspect A and will establish a path for effecting display of aspect R" and, incidentally, for causing contact 413 to be maintained in engagement with contact 415. Such path leads from conductor 493 through conductor 504, contacts 413, 415, magnet 459, conductor 505, cut-out mechanism 48|, conductor 501, lamp R", and conductor 5|3 to supply conductor 485.

'I'he display -of aspect R" will continue for a ,time determined by the adjustment and operacurrentV path to aspect R" by operation of cutout mechanism 48|, magnet 459 will become de- 'energized thus permitting contact 413 to reestablish the current path for display of aspect A. Display of aspect R, will now be terminated and the various magnets will, by this time, assume their normalconditions and will be awaiting further operations of pad |02 for the determination of excessive rate of movement of another vehicle along the highway H".

The arrangements and embodiments of this invention as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8 have been vdirected to their utilization for the determination of operation of mechanism, the vehicle speeds and 25 the signal aspect indications have all been based vupon assumptions adopted as a matter of convenience to facilitate description and illustration of this invention and any one, any group or all of the assumed values, characteristics and arrangements may -be altered in diverse ways without detracting from the results obtained or departing from the scope of this invention.

The foregoing descriptions have been, for the most part, based upon certain of the embodiments of this invention which are particularly suited for utilization in connection with the supervision of vehicular trame movements along highways. Furthermore, it will be evident that this invention'might have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings as embodied in any one of many diierent kinds of mechanisms. Those embodiments which have been selected for use as illustrative of the invention have been chosen as a matter of convenience, and. not because they exhaust the scope of the invention in its application to the various uses for which it is suited. Furthermore, it should be remembered that various features of this invention may be advantageously utilized singly or in groups containing less than all of said features.

The explanations hereinbefore given as to illustrative embodiments of this invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, are believed to be fully suilicient to enable those skilled in this art to readily apply this invention to all situations to which it is suited.

Claim is made to, and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of Ameri-4 ca, all generic and specific features of the invention indicated by the accompanying drawings, l

bination, a group of vehicle detector mechanisms associated with said path and adapted to be successively operated pursuant to the progress v of a vehicle along such path, correct," fast and slow signal indications, means normally effecting display of said correct indication,

means involving said detector mechanisms for terminating the display of said correct" indication and for eiecting display of said fast indication responsive to operation of the detector mechanisms of said group at a higher than a predetermined frequency and forterminating the display of said correct indication and for effecting display of said "sl0w indication responsive to operation of the detector mechanisms of said group at a lowerxthan a predetermined frequency, and means restoring normal display of said correct indication following timed presentation of one of the other of said indications.

2. A signal system for indicating the speed of trailic along a prescribed path having, in combination, a group of vehicle detector mechanisms associated with said path and adapted to be successively operated pursuant to the progress of a vehicle along such path, correct, fast and slow signal indications, means normally eiecting display of said correct indication, and means involving said detector mechanisms for terminating the display of said correct indication and for eiiecting display of said fast indication responsive to operation of the detector mechanisms of said group at a higher than a predetermined frequency and for terminating the display of said correct indication and for eiiecting display of said slow indication responsive to operation of the detector mechanisms o said group at a lower than a predetermined frequency.

3, A trafiic signaling apparatus for indicating characteristics of the rate-of-movement of trailic along a vehicular highway having, in combination, an excessive signal indication, an inadequate signal indication, and a* normally displayed permissive signal indication, said indications representative of the rate-of-movement characteristics of tramo on said highway, a traiiic actuatable controller, and traic responsive means associated with said controller and with said highway for rendering said indications representative of the rate-of-movement characteristic of traic on said highway.

4. A highway traiiic signal system including a pair of signal circuits, one circuit including a signal to indicate stop and the other to indicate go, switching means normally maintaining the go signal circuit closed and the stop signal circuit open and movable through a cycle to rst reverse and then restore to normal the circuit conditions, normally inactive time controlled means for moving said switching means through its cycle, vehicle actuated means situated in the highway, and means responsive only to such operation of said vehicle actuated means as efiected by a vehicle progressing along said highway at a rate of speed exceeding a predetermined maximum for rendering active said time controlled means.

5.'In a signaling device for indicating deviations from a preselected rate of movement of an object having in combination a plurality of detector mechanisms operable for effecting circuit changes separated by time intervals dependent upon relative movement between said mechanism and the moving object, a revolvable member, a driving motor, means normally operative to hold the revolvable member in a stationary position and releasable upon the eiecting of a change in the circuit conditioning of one of said detector mechanisms to permit the motor-controlled movement of said member, an electrical contacting member, means for actuating said contacting member responsive to a change in the circuit conditioning of another of said detector mechanisms,

a signal for indicating an excessive rate of movement of said object relative to said detector mech- 5 anisms, a signal circuit for operating said signal and capable of being established upon actuation of said contacting member, and means associatedV with the revolvable member for preventing the establishment of the signaling circuit providing the revolvable member has been rotated through more than a predetermined portion of its cycle before the contacting member is actuated.

6. In a signaling device for indicating deviations from a preselected rate of movement of an object having in combination a plurality of detector mechanisms operable for effecting circuit changes separated by time intervals dependent upon relative movement between said mechanism and the moving object, a revolvable member, a driving motor for said member, means normally operative to hold the revolvable member in a stationary position and releasable upon the effecting of a change in the circuit conditioning of one of said detector mechanisms to permit themotorcontrolled movement of said member, an electrical contacting member, means for actuating said contacting member responsive to a change in the circuit conditioning of another of said detector mechanisms, a signal for indicating an inadequate rate of movement of said object relative to said detector mechanisms, an electrical switch associated with the revolvable member and permitted to assume an open position by the said revolvable member during a predetermined part oi. its motor-controlled movement, and means for rendering said signal responsive to actuation of the said contacting member after the closure of said electrical switch.

7. In a timing device for detecting variations 40 in the deviation of the duration oi' an event from a preselected minimum duration of time, the combination of a timing motor, a revolvable member rotated thereby, means operative to retain said member in a stationary position and releasable 45 at the beginning of said event to permit the motor-controlled movement of said member through a predetermined cycle, a second means operated at the expiration of the duration of said event, means desired to be operated if the duration of said event is less than a predetermined minimum extent of time, an electric circuit for effecting operation of the last mentioned means, a mova- Ible member operable by the said second means for controlling said circuit, and means associated with said revolvable member for rendering said circuit unresponsive to operation of the movable member after the revolvable member has rotated through a predetermined portion of its cycle.

8. In a timing device for indicating deviations from a predetermined extent oi! time, a timing motor, a revolvable member rotated thereby, means operative to retain said member in a sta- -tionary position and releasable at the beginning of the said extent of time to permit the motor- 65 controlled movement of said member through a. predetermined cycle, a second means operated at the expiration of said interval of time, an electric signaling circuit desired to be energized "if the saidv extent of time is less than or more than a predetermined duration, a movable member operated by the second means for closing said circuit, and means associated with the revolvable member for preventing the closing of said circuit if the movable member is operated during a prede- 75 termined portion of the movement of the revolvable member.

9. In a timing device for detecting variations in the duration of an event from a preselected maximum duration of time, the combination of a timing motor, a revolvable member rotated thereby, means for retaining said member in a. stationary position and releasable at the beginning of said event to permit the motor-controlled movement of said member, a second means operated at the expiration of the duration of said event, means desired to be operated if lthe duration of said event is longer than a predetermined maximum, and means for rendering said last mentioned means inoperative upon operation of the second means during a predetermined extent of the rotation of the revolvable member.

10. In a timing device for detecting variations in the duration of an event from a preselected maximum duration of time, the combination of a timing motor, a revolvable member rotated thereby, means operative to retain said member in a stationary position and releasable at the beginning of said event to permit the motor-controlled movement of said member, a second means operated at the expiration of the duration of said event, means desired to be operated if the duration of said event is more than a predetermined maximum extent of time, an electric circuit for eiecting operation of the last mentioned means. a movable member operable by the said second means for controlling said circuit, and means associated with said revolvable member for rendering said circuit unresponsive to operation of the movable member unless the revolvable member has rotated through a predetermined portion of its cycle.

11. In a timing device for detecting variations in the duration of time, the combination of a timing motor, a revolvable member rotated thereby, means for retaining said member in a stationary position and releasable at the beginning of said event to permit the motor-controlled movement of said member through a predetermined extent oi rotation, a second means operated at the expiration of the duration of said event, a relay, means eilective for energizing said relay upon operation of s'aid second means during a predetermined initial part of the rotation of said revolvable member but ineffective for energizing the relay upon operation of the second means after the revolvable means has been rotated farther than the said initial part of its rotation, a holding circuit for said relay, and timing means for releasing said holding circuit a pren determined time after the relay is energized.

EDWIN C. WILLIAMS. 

